Trio face life in prison in deadly blast

Prosecutor seeks life sentences

Marion County's prosecutor says he'll seek life sentences without parole if three people charged in a deadly Indianapolis house explosion are convicted in that case.

Prosecutor Terry Curry announced Monday he had decided not to seek the death penalty against Monserrate Shirley, her boyfriend, Mark Leonard and his brother, Bob Leonard. All three face murder, arson and conspiracy charges in the Nov. 10 Richmond Hill neighborhood that destroyed 33 houses and killed two people.

Investigators say the trio intentionally set a gas explosion in a home in hopes of collecting insurance money. Curry says the scheme was "undertaken with no regard whatsoever to the tragic consequences."

He said the alleged aggravating circumstances supporting the life in prison request include the explosion's multiple deaths and unlawful detonation of an explosive device.

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